Written question WQ87832

In March 2021 the Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development was published. The Code, which was co-produced by the Welsh Government and the Mobile Operators, is intended to encourage better communication and consultation between telecommunications operators, local planning authorities and local communities. It helps standardise planning procedures and operator practices to improve consistency of decision making and implementation. The Code also helps explain technical features of mobile systems and provides good practice guidance on the siting and design of new telecommunications development.

Planning policy regarding telecommunications development is set out in Planning Policy Wales (PPW) and TAN 19: Telecommunications. Following the publication of the Code, the Welsh Government is reviewing TAN 19, which is considered to be largely out of date. It is my expectation that any parts of TAN 19 which remain relevant will be integrated into PPW at the time of its next update, and TAN 19 will be cancelled. The Chief Planner wrote to local planning authorities on this issue in March 2021.

The Barrier Busting Taskforce on barriers and solutions to digital infrastructure deployment made a series of recommendations in November 2022. These included an action to review planning regulations regarding permitted development rights in particular.

I am satisfied at the current time that Part 24 of the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) (Wales) Order 1995, which was last amended in 2019 following extensive engagement with the industry, provides a positive planning framework for telecommunications whilst providing sufficient controls to manage proposed development in the public interest. There are no plans to review the Order at this time.